Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

A birth defect of the heart recently found to be associated with maternal use of SSRI drugs during pregnancy,[1] pulmonary valve stenosis is characterized by a narrowing (stenosis) of the pulmonary valve of the heart, the valve which opens to allow blood to flow from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.[2]

Specifically, pulmonary valve stenosis has been associated with maternal use of Paxil® (paroxetine) and Prozac® (fluoxetine).[3]

Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

PubMed Health, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, states that when the condition is “moderate to severe,”[4] symptoms include:

The same page concerning pulmonary valve stenosis states that “symptoms may get worse with exercise or activity.”[6]

Treatment and Prognosis for Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

When the condition is mild, medication is usually sufficient for treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis. However, if the condition is severe, surgery may be required “to repair or replace the pulmonary valve.”[7]

Generally, if the condition is mild, it will not worsen of the course of the patient’s life. If the condition is moderate or severe, however, it is likely to worsen and eventually require surgery.[8] But thankfully, most replacement valves can last for decades.[9]

Though the condition may be stabilized though surgical procedures, serious complications are associated with pulmonary valve stenosis. According to PubMed Health, complications associated with pulmonary valve stenosis can include:

Leaking of blood back into the right ventricle (pulmonary regurgitation) after repair”[10]

We are here to help!

Due to the fact that Paxil® and Prozac® warning labels included no information regarding the increased risk of bearing children with pulmonary valve stenosis when the medications are used by expecting mothers, Paxil® birth defect lawsuits and Prozac® birth defect lawsuits are currently being filed, aimed at securing financial compensation for injuries sustained by families around the country.

If you or a loved one used an SSRI during pregnancy and your child was born with pulmonary valve stenosis, please do not hesitate to contact us at (855) 452-5529 or by e-mail at justinian@dangerousdrugs.us for a free, no obligation consultation. Our Paxil® lawyers and Prozac® lawyers have the compassion, experience, and resources required to help you every step of the way.

About Dangerous Drugs

This blog chronicles legal and scientific news relating to personal injuries caused by defective drugs and medical devices. It is published by injury lawyer Justinian C. Lane, an attorney who takes a personal interest in each of his clients’ cases.

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Justinian Lane

Justinian C. Lane is a personal injury attorney who focuses his practice on helping individuals injured by prescription drugs and medical devices. His practice is nationwide and he welcomes e-mails at justinian@dangerousdrugs.us. His full biography is here.